i want to go to a manual transmission. How easy/hard/expensive is it? Where is the best place to source the needed items?

 

Do a search. Installing a stick behind an Olds engine that was an automatic from the factory is no easy task because the crank is not drilled to accept the pilot bearing. There is a conversion bearing, but there have been mixed reviews on it and the input shaft of the trans needs to be cut down to accommodate it.

 

think ya may have answered my question in regards to my swap on my 76 cutlass...

Wish I paid more attention to my crankshaft when I was putting the engine together and in... No clue if the flywheel side had been drilled...

 

Haven't some folks used these pilot bearings on AT cranks?
http://supercarsunlimited.com/Pilot-...pter-i262.aspx